(Two months later)
1100 Hours
Washington D.C
"Hey, Oz."
Qrow stood over a tombstone, bearing the late President and father figure, Ozpin. Ozpin died five months ago to an illness before his final day as President of the United States. Qrow always frequented his grave so he could relay his day and simply have a chat.
"Yeah, yeah, I know. I've been away for quite some time. Been busy, that's all. I thought about bringing flowers today but I forgot what kind you liked so I got you this instead."
Qrow lifted a paper bag and took out a bottle of Kilkerran. He managed to get it for a low price from a liquor store nearby.
"Don't act like cocoa is your only favorite drink. I know you too well," Qrow said. "In fact, this was the first bottle you introduced me to for my 21st birthday."
Qrow bent down and placed the bottle next to his grave. It sat upright near the tombstone's shadow on the swaying grass, facing the bright sun. They always said life will finish eventually at some point. Qrow didn't expect Ozpin to go out and fall victim to an illness, although he didn't look to have any symptoms. Apparently, he had been suffering a long time, dating back before he formed the Task Force for Remnant. Qrow still remembers the good times he had with him. Ozpin always acted as a father to him more than his real father did.
"Hello, brother."
Qrow turned around and noticed Raven standing behind him. She was dressed as if she was attending a funeral. Her demeanour changed ever since the Remnant fiasco. Qrow exchanged a simple 'hey' before looking back at the tombstone.
"Hello, Oz." Raven said, approaching Ozpin's grave.
She then noticed the bottle of Kilkerran.
"Is that scotch?" Raven said, glancing at Qrow. "How the hell is he supposed to drink this when he's dead?"
"Well, it was the only thing that I could give him." Qrow shrugged.
"Is that really true or were you just gonna drink this in front of him?"
"I was gonna pour some for him."
Raven let out a scoff. Qrow was never great at coming up with convincing excuses.
"Where have ya been anyway?" Qrow asked, still staring at the grave while feeling the grass.
"I have a job too, you know." Raven sarcastically said.
"You mean killing people instead of babysitting my daughter?"
"I was actually seeing my daughters because I'm their mother...you know, the thing that you kept busting my ass about when I left the family?"
Qrow nodded. "Yeah, yeah."
"And I'm actually planning to quit being an assassin."
Qrow glanced at his sister. He wasn't sure if she was being sarcastic again.
"Hey, don't give me that look," Raven said. "It's not like I'm gonna stay in the assassination business forever. I actually got a real job as a bartender in New York."
"You mean Higanbana? Didn't know you still like that place."
"It's the only place that makes the best Bloody Marys. Of course I would take a job there."
Qrow let out a grunt and turned away. He was surprised she would give up her position as the deadliest assassin for a job where he used to frequent.
"You know it's gonna happen to you too someday." Raven said.
"Eh?" Qrow looked at her again.
"You know what I'm talking about, brother. You know you can't be a killer forever like I can't either. I want to be doing something legitimate to support myself and stay clear of the world of crime."
Qrow said nothing. Raven noticed something in him only she would know.
"You and Winter haven't talked about leaving, haven't you?" She guessed.
Qrow hesitated for one moment before sighing and looking away.
"Nope."
"You can't keep doing this forever, brother...we all have our limits."
Qrow looked away and thought about what Raven said. She was right. He can't keep doing this forever. But he wasn't sure how to tell Winter about this.
"Qrow? Raven?"
They both turned towards the source of the sound. It was Ozpin's 15 year old grandson Oscar. The green jacket and the jeans he was wearing along with that bag fit his overall look well.
"Hey, pipsqueak." Qrow greeted.
"Hi," Oscar said. "Um, am I interrupting something? I'll just-"
"Interrupting what, kid? Get your skinny ass over here."
Oscar shrugged and approached the two. He hugged Raven first before it was Qrow's turn. His hug was much tighter than her's.
"I can't breathe." Oscar muttered into Qrow's body, prompting him to break the hug.
"That's why ya gotta get those muscles fixed up, yeah? Working at the farm ain't gonna be enough!"
Qrow playfully punched Oscar's arm and he flinched, rubbing the area Qrow hit.
"Maybe it's too early for him to train." Raven said, smirking.
"So!" Qrow then chirped up, slapping his hands together. "How's things going at school?"
Oscar nodded. "Going steady. Grades are alright. Nothing too special."
"And the farm?"
"Me and mom are doing fine. Our business is going great thanks to you guys."
A naughty grin spread across Qrow's face. "Ya got a girlfriend yet?"
"Qrow!" Raven firmly said.
"I'm messing with ya, kid! Relax!" He laughed, patting a flustered Oscar on the back. "But seriously, don't get too frisky yet, got it?"
Oscar awkwardly nodded. "Y-yeah."
Surprisingly, talking to Oscar was enough to put Qrow at ease and make him forget about the stresses in life. Qrow then internally felt his stomach growl.
"Anyways, have you eaten yet?" He asked.
"Oh," Oscar shook his head. "Not yet."
"Perfect timing! How's Subway?"
"Sure thing."
"Great! You coming Raven?"
His sister shrugged. "It's not like I got anything to do for the day."
As they both gathered up to leave, Qrow looked behind his shoulder to where Ozpin's tombstone was alongside the scotch.
"Be seeing you around, Oz." He said before turning away to catch up with Raven and Oscar.
1132 Hours
"Catch up, Sunny!" Harriet called at the front.
Sunny panted as he ran down the path of the National Mall near the river through the scorching sun. Sweat was slithering down his face and soaking his sports shirt. Harriet in front of him was way ahead, a few feet away from him. Her previous experience as a former gold medal Olympic track runner was definitely in her blood.
Running past the other joggers down the path, Sunny's mouth was drying up and he was heaving for air. He was beyond in need of help. This was nothing like his time back in the Rangers. But he lived up to his code for his entire life, he wasn't going to break it over a jogging session.
"Is this how your dates went with your exes?" Sunny called.
"Yep! None of them couldn't catch up!" Harriet replied.
"Hoo...I don't think I ever felt like dropping dead!"
"Oh, don't tell me you're quitting on me now, are ya?! You're a Ranger after all!"
Sunny rolled his eyes, letting her comment slide. The two continued running for the past fifteen minutes with Sunny somehow managing to catch up with Harriet by the time they arrived home. Stopping by the stairs of their apartment, the two took the time to catch their breaths.
"Whew…finally home…at last." Sunny heaved while holding onto the railing for support.
"Oh, don't be a baby," Harriet replied as she headed up the stairs. "Wasn't even that bad."
Once they entered their unit, Sunny was welcomed by the sweet, lily-infused fragrance in the room. It felt quite refreshing, compared to his old place. He had just moved into Harriet's place two days earlier. After turning on the air conditioner and kicking off their shoes, Sunny headed towards the kitchen where Harriet opened the fridge door.
"This is gonna take some time for me to get used to this place." Sunny said.
"What? Still miss that old place of yours?" Harriet asked, handing him a cold water bottle.
"Not really, it's just that I've never been in a place like yours."
Harriet chuckled as she drank from her bottle. Sunny took off the cap of his bottle and drank the ice cold water into his system. The icy sensation was enough to cool his body's scorching hot mind down. His eyes then locked onto Harriet as the water she drank from escaped her lips with some dribbling down her chin. Complete that with the navy sports bra and silver leggings and the shiny sweat glazing her skin and Sunny's got one beautiful girlfriend.
"What's up?" Harriet asked, noticing him staring at her.
Sunny smirked and put the bottle on the counter. "Just thinking 'bout how sexy you are sweating in those clothes."
"So sweaty women turn you on, huh?" She joked.
"The first time I saw you sweat like that, it does in fact."
Harriet chuckled and approached him, placing her bottle. "You're the first guy I know to get turned on by sweat. Not the most ideal way but it'll do."
She closed in on Sunny, making contact with his body. Leaning on the counter, Sunny felt his heart racing as Harriet's chest squeezed against his body and her hands ran up to his shoulders and his sticky face. He could feel his pants tightening. Harriet's eyes flicked downwards and a smirk crept across her face.
"Is this arousing for you?" She whispered as her face closed in on Sunny.
"Your body's not the only thing I'm after." He replied.
Just before her lips made contact with Sunny's, he heard her sniff and she slightly pulled back. Sunny opened his eyes.
"I know you like the smell of sweaty girls but I wish I could say the same for you. You smell like dead fish." Harriet said.
Sunny chuckled. "You're one to talk. You got my scent all over you."
"Well, that means we're gonna have to wash it off together!" She then got off Sunny. "I'm gonna hit the showers and you're coming with me, no objections."
"Was that supposed to be an order? Sounded more like an invitation to me."
Sunny heard Harriet snort as she approached the bathroom door.
"Then what're you waiting for?" She said, opening the door. "Come on."
Once Harriet entered the bathroom, Sunny chuckled to himself and took off his wet shirt as he headed to the showers. Her ways of teasing, her wits and her impressive skills in the field were some of the reasons why Sunny fell for her in the first place, the first time they met during their assignment in the Empire. Their relationship blossomed every night they were alone together after their assignment. But he knew a relationship in the Ace Ops was not going to be taken lightly if anyone found out as it was a secret the two promised to keep. Sunny didn't want to let all of those thoughts concern him. He was going to enjoy his moments with Harriet while it lasted.
1140 Hours
Virginia
Moving across the hallway, a recruit kept her guard up as she aimed her M4A1 with blanks across the area. The lights inside the hallway began to flicker as she advanced further. She noticed a shadow from the corner and foot protruding from the edge, deducing someone hiding from behind. The recruit fired a round at the foot, hearing a yell from the corner. A man armed with a rifle stumbled over, giving the agent a clear shot to the head. One clean shot to the temple was enough to drop the shooter.
The recruit moved past the body and headed towards the end of the hallway where the next area was. Just as she leaned over the corner, bullets zipped past her just as the recruit took cover. She managed to notice another shooter near the door before taking cover. As the shooting stopped, the recruit emerged from cover and opened fire at the shooter, taking him out like usual.
Stacking up next to the door, the recruit let the rifle hang on the sling and pulled off a flash grenade from her waist. She opened the door lightly and swiftly tossed the grenade between the narrow gap. A loud bang emitted from inside and the recruit barged the door open and opened fire. Three shooters inside were eliminated from the surprise attack. Then, the recruit noticed a figure approach her from the other side. It was another target, holding a woman as a shield with a pistol to her head.
"Drop the gun! Or I kill her!"
The shooter was rather foolish enough to expose his head beside the hostage's, giving the recruit an open window. She fired a single round to the head. The shooter shouted in pain and let go of the hostage. However, the recruit also kept a watchful eye on the hostage herself. Her predictions were correct when the hostage ended up dashing for a gun nearby but the recruit was able to cut her off as quickly as the wind. Just as she shot the fake hostage, a loud buzz erupted from above and the lights brightened.
"Recruit, report to the starting point for the next round." The voice ordered.
The recruit smirked as she lowered her rifle. "Sweet."
Clover couldn't help but be at awe over their recruit's performance. The way she moved and handled the situation was quite impressive.
"Smooth operator." Clover said under his breath.
"Hey, Clover." Marrow called him.
Turning around, Clover noticed Marrow approaching him. A grin crept his face.
"Sup, fido." He said.
"Why do you guys keep calling me that?" Marrow asked, slightly annoyed.
"Cos' it's funny."
Marrow sighed and approached the railing overlooking the training course inside the facility.
"Who's that?" Marrow asked, pointing at the recruit heading towards her next test.
"That...is Marina Tortuga," Clover answered, tapping the railing. "She's our Ace 9. Hand picked by me and Winter."
Marrow cocked his head. "We're getting more recruits?"
"We sure are and she's pretty good. She almost broke Harriet's record."
Marrow looked away from Clover and back at Tortuga who was checking her gear. He let out a sigh.
"And I thought Sunny was the last."
1845 Hours, Local Time
Manila, Philippines
Christopher Jin checked his watch as he waited at the reception. As the Ambassador of the US Embassy of the Philippines, his reputation makes a name for himself. People regard him as a politician with a 'people over politics' mindset. Then Jin heard the glass doors open and a familiar man in a grey suit entered.
"Ah, Deputy Director Müller," Jin stood up and shook his hand. "Glad you're here."
"You too Ambassador Jin." Müller replied, shaking his hand.
"How are you and your contractors doing in the Philippines?"
"My men have dealt with the Abu Sayyaf with the host nation's support."
"Good to hear. Now we can try to keep this country from harm then, yes?"
Müller however responded with a more concerned expression, catching Jin's attention.
"Something wrong?" Jin asked.
"I'm not sure about the contractors."
"What do you mean?"
Before Müller could answer, his phone buzzed from his pocket. He took his phone out and read the screen. He sighed.
"We'll discuss this later. I need to take this."
Jin nodded. "I understand."
The director walked away and stopped by the pillar before answering his phone.
"Herr. (Sir.)" Müller said.
Jin watched as the conversation went on. He wasn't familiar with German but he could read their expressions. Müller's face then twisted into confusion.
"Sir, ich verstehe nicht, was Sie sagen. (Sir, I don't understand what you're saying.)" He said.
He waited for an answer but Müller's face then contorted into anger.
"Wagen Sie es nicht, meine Familie dazu zu bringen, und Sie halten sich von ihnen fern. (Don't you dare bring my family into this and you stay away from them.)"
Another brief pause as Müller waited.
"Was meinst du? (What do you-)"
Just then, Müller turned towards Jin's direction and stopped speaking. Now Jin was confused. Was there something on his face? But then, Müller's eyes widened in horror and he immediately made a dash towards him, dropping the phone. Jin spun around to where he was looking at and noticed a man with a vest outstretching his arm just before the room was set alight.
1200 Hours
Qrow had just returned home after his lunch with Oscar and Raven. After closing and locking the door, he headed into the kitchen where the sounds of the faint T.V and Winter's voice dug into his mind. There, she was holding their one year old daughter Ella while talking to someone on the phone.
"Thanks, Clover. Keep me updated." Winter said before hanging up.
Qrow approached his wife. "Good news?"
"Our new Ace just passed the final phase."
"Huh. Seems like the Dirty Boat Guy is as good as the SEALs...or should I say gal."
"Yeah. You know your daughter misses you."
"Does she now?" Qrow asked. Winter then handed Ella to him and he cradled her. "Hey, you little brat. Whaddaya want?"
Ella began to giggle as Qrow shook her lightly and spoke in his baby voice. Qrow noticed she was starting to feel comfortable with him now, compared to last week.
"Anything happened while you were out?" Winter asked.
"Yeah, Oz and I had a nice talk." Qrow replied as he held Eirwen close to his shoulder. "I also ran into Raven and his grandson."
"Oscar? How is he?"
"Still skinny as a twig but he's growing up."
"How about your sister?"
"She's good...we had an interesting conversation."
"Really? What was it about?"
Before he was able to say it, Qrow's eye caught sight of something that grabbed both him and Winter's attention. It was a breaking news report, just recently airing the event. Winter picked up the controller and turned up the volume.
"The Embassy of the United States of America in the Philippines was just hit by what witnesses claimed to be a suicide bombing, killing multiple people inside," the anchorman said. The screens then showed images of the building in ruins. "The victims of the bombing included the embassy's Ambassador Christopher Jin, Deputy Director Kurt Müller of Schnee International and several staff members. The exact number of the victims are yet to be estimated…"
Come to think of it, it has been a long time since Qrow and Winter have last heard of Schnee International after Winter was transferred to the CIA for their operation in Remnant. The two stared at the screen and watched the rest of the report before snapping out of it. This was something that the Ace Ops would be called in for.
"We gotta go." Winter said.
"Langley?" Qrow guessed.
"Pentagon. I'll get the team."
"And I'll call Raven to babysit Ella."
Winter nodded and made a call while taking Ella from Qrow. As she headed to the dining area, Qrow took out his phone to fish Raven back at the house. He then let out a sigh. That talk about their future will have to wait. For now, they need to get this growing problem sorted and activate the Ace Ops.
AN: Hey guys WFTC141 here. Sorry for taking so long to work back on this. I hope you're enjoying the story so far and Marina Tortuga belongs to Pie11644 from DA and she and Maximus Hambugerlius are helping me out with this story and I'm very thankful that they are. Next chapter will be out soon. PEACE.